Valerian

Valerian (198-264) was Emperor of the Roman Empire from 253 to 260, succeeding Aemilianus and preceding Gallienus.

Biography
Valerian was from a powerful senatorial family, and he held several high posts under the previous emperors. In 253, Trebonianus Gallus asked for his assistance in putting down the usurpation of Aemilianus, but Trebonianus Gallus was killed by defecting troops, so Valerian killed Aemilianus and became the next emperor of the Roman Empire. He fought against the Sassanid Empire and gave orders for his government to persecute Christians while he was away; in 260 he was captured at the Battle of Edessa, and he was imprisoned by King Shapur I of Persia. His son Gallienus succeeded him, and Valerian died in jail in 264.